Self-contained heat exchange apparatus

Abstract

A heat exchange system for cooling a coolant is provided having a pump coupled to the motor to pump coolant, a radiator for cooling the coolant, and a resilient hollow reservoir for holding coolant in the form of a planar base portion and an annular portion integrally coupled to and extending upwards from the base portion.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
       1. A heat exchange system comprising: a motor;   a pump mechanically coupled to the motor and adapted to pump a coolant;   a radiator fluidly coupled to the pump and adapted to cool the coolant; and   a resilient hollow reservoir adapted to receive and contain the coolant including, a planar base portion,   an annular portion extending upwardly from a first end of the base portion and integrally coupled thereto;     a cooling fan coupled to the motor, wherein an interior surface of the annular portion shrouds the cooling fan;   a control panel coupled to a second end of the base portion; and   a cover extending between the control panel and the annular portion, and enclosing said motor and pump.   
     
     
       2. The heat exchange system of claim 1, wherein the cover has air vents. 
     
     
       3. The heat exchange system of claim 1, wherein an upwardly facing outer surface of the reservoir is adapted to form a pan. 
     
     
       4. The heat exchange system of claim 1, wherein the reservoir has indentations on a bottom surface. 
     
     
       5. The heat exchange system of claim 4, wherein the indentations are adapted to prevent lateral movement of the heat exchange system by interfering with upwardly extending members of a supporting piece of machinery. 
     
     
       6. The heat exchange system of claim 1, wherein the reservoir has first and second handholds in its lower surface. 
     
     
       7. The heat exchange system of claim 6, wherein the handholds are oriented along a center line of the heat exchange system. 
     
     
       8. The heat exchange system of claim 6, wherein the handholds are disposed along an axis of symmetry of the heat exchange system. 
     
     
       9. A reservoir for a heat exchange system, comprising: a planar base portion, the base portion having a first end and an outer surface;   an annular portion extending upwardly above the base portion from only the first end of the base portion; and   a tray adapted to receive fluid leaks, the tray being formed by a recess on the upwardly facing outer surface of the base portion.   
     
     
       10. The reservoir of claim 9, wherein the base portion is indented to form a motor-receiving platform. 
     
     
       11. The reservoir of claim 10, wherein the motor receiving platform has an air channelling indentation. 
     
     
       12. The reservoir of claim 9, wherein the base portion further includes an overflow channel formed on the upwardly facing outer surface of the base portion and configured to drain fluid away from the tray. 
     
     
       13. A reservoir for a heat exchange system, comprising: a planar base portion, the base portion having an outer surface, a first end and a second end;   an annular portion extending upwardly above the base portion from the first end of the base portion;   a motor receiving platform formed by an indentation in the base portion and positioned adjacent the upper surface, wherein the motor receiving platform has an air channeling indentation; and   a tray formed by a recess in the upwardly facing outer surface, the tray being configured to contain fluid leaks, the upwardly facing outer surface and the tray having an overflow channel positioned to drain fluid away from the tray toward the second end of the base portion.   
     
     
       14. The reservoir of claim 9, wherein the annular portion is adapted to shroud a fan. 
     
     
       15. The reservoir of claim 9, wherein the planar base portion has a plurality of indentations on its lower surface adapted to receive protrusions from an upper surface of a heat exchange system. 
     
     
       16. The reservoir of claim 9, wherein the planar base portion has an indentation adapted to receive a lug extending upwardly from a welding machine. 
     
     
       17. The reservoir of claim 13, wherein the annular portion is adapted to shroud a fan. 
     
     
       18. The reservoir of claim 13, wherein the planar base portion has a plurality of indentions on its lower surface adapted to receive protrusions from an upper surface of a heat exchange system. 
     
     
       19. The reservoir of claim 13, wherein the planar base portion has an indention adapted to receive a lug extending upwardly from a welding machine. 
     
     
       20. A reservoir for a heat exchange system, comprising: a planar base portion; and   an annular portion extending upwardly above the base portion from only a first end of the base portion.   
     
     
       21. The reservoir of claim 20, wherein the base portion has an outer surface, wherein the reservoir further includes a tray adapted to receive fluid leaks, the tray being formed by a recess on the upwardly facing outer surface of the base portion. 
     
     
       22. The reservoir of claim 20, further including a cover enclosing a portion of the base portion not covered by the annular portion. 
     
     
       23. The reservoir of claim 20, wherein the base portion is indented to form a motor-receiving platform. 
     
     
       24. The reservoir of claim 23, wherein the motor receiving platform has an air channeling indentation. 
     
     
       25. The reservoir of claim 20, wherein the reservoir has indentations on a bottom surface. 
     
     
       26. The reservoir of claim 22, wherein the cover extends from the first end to a second end of the reservoir.